For question #1, read the essay “The Perils of Indifference” by Elie Wiesel
For questions #2 and #3, read the essay “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift and the speech “Advice to Youth” by Mark Twain.
Post your answers FOR ALL questions in the forum below.
- In “The Perils of Indifference”, name TWO of the persuasive techniques that Wiesel employs. Give an example of each. Are they effective? Why?
- Why would these authors choose to use satire to discuss a serious subject?
- Were you offended by either author? Do you think it was the intention of authors to offend the readers? Why or why not?
Directions
Write a biographical report on the author/artist.
- Mark Twain
- Jonathan Swift
- Elie Wiesel
- Rick Mercer
- Matt Groening
- or other contemporary satirical or persuasive writer
In your report, include the following information:
- A brief examination of the author’s life: early life, family, education…
- The general historical context of the time (what was happening during the author’s lifetime that may have influenced their writing. Focus in on one or two events or the character of the time in which they lived.)
- Other major works of the author and tone of the works. Comment on whether or not they too are all either satirical in tone (option A) or persuasive (option B).
- Include at least one image of the author.
- Include at least one other opinion of the author. What do others say about the author and their importance in or to society?
Keep in mind that this is not an essay but rather an informational report. You should not include personal feelings about the author or the works. This should be an unbiased presentation of facts based on what you discover through your research.Use your own voice as much as possible to share what you have learned about your subject. Even with proper in-text (parenthetical) citations for borrowed ideas and quotes, your report must NOT be a series of copies and pastes or shuffled content (mosaic plagiarism) from the original sources of information.
Research projects can be tricky! You are expected to become an expert on a subject by accessing information from other experts, but you are to use your own voice to share what you know as a result of your research.
Directions
Write a biographical report on the author/artist.
- Mark Twain
- Jonathan Swift
- Elie Wiesel
- Rick Mercer
- Matt Groening
- or other contemporary satirical or persuasive writer
In your report, include the following information:
- A brief examination of the author’s life: early life, family, education…
- The general historical context of the time (what was happening during the author’s lifetime that may have influenced their writing. Focus in on one or two events or the character of the time in which they lived.)
- Other major works of the author and tone of the works. Comment on whether or not they too are all either satirical in tone (option A) or persuasive (option B).
- Include at least one image of the author.
- Include at least one other opinion of the author. What do others say about the author and their importance in or to society?
Keep in mind that this is not an essay but rather an informational report. You should not include personal feelings about the author or the works. This should be an unbiased presentation of facts based on what you discover through your research.Use your own voice as much as possible to share what you have learned about your subject. Even with proper in-text (parenthetical) citations for borrowed ideas and quotes, your report must NOT be a series of copies and pastes or shuffled content (mosaic plagiarism) from the original sources of information.
Research projects can be tricky! You are expected to become an expert on a subject by accessing information from other experts, but you are to use your own voice to share what you know as a result of your research.